Leeds United ‘shoot-out’ predicted between Willy Gnonto and Crysencio Summerville
There will be a ‘straight shoot-out’ between Willy Gnonto and Crysencio Summerville for a starting role in the Leeds United clash with Manchester City on Saturday (6 May), according to the Yorkshire Evening Post’s Joe Donnohue.
Gnonto was handed little playing time under Spaniard Gracia, with Summerville the player he turned to more often than not after the injury to Luis Sinisterra.
Gnonto and Summerville are now expected to battle it out for a starting role under Allardyce in the coming weeks.
“Elsewhere within the manager’s Leeds squad, Gnonto could be set for a more central role, figuratively speaking, compared to his brief under Gracia,” Donnohue wrote for the Yorkshire Evening Post.
“The Italy international failed to start in back-to-back Premier League matches for the Spaniard but remained a reliable threat primarily from the left flank.
“Allardyce does not have the benefit of having Luis Sinisterra to pick for his four games at the helm, meaning it will be a straight shoot-out, one would imagine, between Gnonto and Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville for a starting berth on that side of the pitch.”
Gnonto deserving of starting role
Many Leeds fans have been left baffled by many decisions on the pitch at Elland Road this season, and the one from Gracia to constantly overlook Gnonto is right up there with the most confusing.
The young Italian impressed under Jesse Marsch, with his pace, trickery and direct running leaving some of the most experienced Premier League right-backs short of breath.
Gnonto has that creative spark that Leeds have been missing in recent weeks, with the Whites now in desperate need of his abilities in the final third as they prepare for one last attempt to push away from the relegation zone.
Summerville has also shown his talent on occasion, but Allardyce should hand the young Italian a starting role in order to boost his confidence and indeed lift the spirits of the supporters.
The club are in danger of losing the talented youngster this summer, but Big Sam’s only focus concerning the Italian will be to get the best out of him between now and the end of the season.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites want to sign one exit-bound Liverpool player this summer.